Speech #860124762

Mr. President. on April 8. 1959. on behalf of myself and the distinguished junior Senator from New York . I introduced a bill to extend for 2 years the law granting nonquota immigrant status to orphans under 14 years of age who have been or will be adopted by American citizens upon admission to the United States. The statutory authority then in effect expired on June 30. 1959. I was following a practice in which I had joined with former Senator Ives. who was the predecessor of the present junior Senator from New York . when I was in the House of Representatives. in seeking to put this program into effect. and in which I think I can say. with pardonable pride. that Senator Ives and I were at least among those who initiated the special admission of orphans for purposes of adoption. However. orphans have been admitted to the United States since the adoption of the first alien orphan statute 11 years ago. as a part of the Displaced Persons Act of 1948. The program has been extended three times. and successfully. by the act of July 29. 1953. by the Refugee Relief Act of 1953. and by Public Law 85316. I joined with my colleague in introducing this bill. which we hope will become law. and which continues the program for at least a year. I. too. like the junior Senator from New York. have had numerous heartfelt requests from citizens in my constituency who wish. themselves. to adopt individual orphans. and who urge the continuation of the present law. Also. I appeared before the Subcormmittee on Immigration. of which the junior Senator form New York is a member. in order to try to get action on this bill. We all know that there are many American families. especially among American delegations working abroad. and among American military personnel. who have a very special interest in the admittance of children for adoption. or of children who had been adopted abroad. It seems to me that we are dealing with the great heart of America. which is always our greatest asset in the world.